Scars

Every time the skin is damaged or cut it will heal with a scar. There are a number of factors that affect how the skin forms the scar, for instance, the nature of the injury (cut or burn), depth and size of the wound, location of the wound, age, skin type, genetic predispositions and ethnicity. There are several different types of scar. A keloid scar is the result of an aggressive healing response from the body. Normal scarification involves collagen fibres laying in parallel to one another but in keloid scarring the fibres lay at right angles to each other and this clumsy orientation leads to a thickened, stacked and often painful scar that grows to extend beyond the boundary of the original injury and over time may restrict tissue mobility. Many patients will inherit their tendency to form keloid scars.

Hypertrophic scars are usually red in colour and slightly elevated. They can sometimes become itchy and painful. Unlike keloid scars, they do not grow beyond the boundary of the original wound. Hypertrophic scars usually begin to form in the weeks following an injury and their appearance will usually improve naturally with time but this will depend upon the nature of the scar and may take over a year. Common injuries that cause hypertrophic scarring are body piercings, burns, cuts and even acne spots. Any injury that causes damage to the deep layers of the dermis can produce a hypertrophic scar as the body produces excess amounts of collagen to heal the wound. Sometimes the nature of the injury, like a burn, may cause the scar tissue to tighten forming a contracture that cam limit physical movement. Severe acne will leave scarring where it has affected the skin and these scars will range from deep pits, angular and wave like scars. Stretching of the skin such as occurs in growth spurts or pregnancy can produce a scar that is a stretch mark.

Regenlite laser and injectables

The appearance and texture of scars can be improved with a variety of effective treatments. The dermatologist or medical aesthetician will carefully assess your skin and recommend an appropriate course of treatment. There are two primary treatment methods for keloid scarring which are injections of cortisone to the raised areas to shrink their volume and Regenlite pulsed dye laser which will shrink the capillaries feeding the scar preventing growth. These methods substantially shrink and lighten the keloid scar.

Acne scars, hypertrophic scars and others respond well to a variety of treatments. Fillers, micro-needling, derma roller, medical grade skin peels and chemical peels will all help removing external layers of scar tissue cells to leave the scar heavily faded or removed. The fillers can help even out the irregularities in the skin surface. Hypertrophic scars will also respond well to cortisone injections and prescription skincare products. Regenlite pulsed dye laser is particularly effective in treating scars to improve their appearance.

Treatment options include:

FOCUS ON: Regenlite laser treatments will boost the collagen production and content for your skin and can be used by our medical aestheticians and dermatologists to give you highly effective treatments to rejuvenate, firm and lift your skin, smoothing out wrinkles and the imperfections left by acne scarring. In its vascular mode, it can shrink the blood vessels supplying keloid scars to reduce their size. Regenlite laser can also improve skin colour to reduce the appearance of scars.

There are several types scar and each type and each client’s skin type must be carefully assessed to ensure the best treatment is given in each case. At ethos our dermatologist have a special clinical interest in scar treatment.

PRACTITIONER ACCREDITATIONS

The content on this site is intended for information and general educational purposes only. It may not apply to you or your personal medical needs, and it should not be used in place of a consultation or the advice of your physician.